Players International
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Gambling |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | David Fishman, Edward Fishman |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Fate | Acquired by Harrah's Entertainment |
| Headquarters | Atlantic City, New Jersey , United States |
| Products | Riverboat casinos, horse racing venue, resort hotel |
Players International was a company headquartered in Atlantic City, New Jersey, specializing in the development and operation of riverboat casinos as well as a horse racing venue.
History
Established in 1984 by siblings David and Edward Fishman, the firm initially gained prominence through its "Player's Club," which provided discounted access to hotel accommodations, entertainment, and dining options at casinos located in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and international destinations. The membership cost $125 for the initial year, with reduced fees for renewals. This club was aggressively promoted via late-night television commercials featuring actor Telly Savalas. During an era when casino gambling was confined to Nevada and Atlantic City with ownership dispersed among many entities, the Player's Club model attracted significant interest. The organization also coordinated gaming competitions and travel arrangements for participants.
Following ventures into call-in contests inspired by shows such as Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, the Fishman brothers shifted their business strategy from discounted travel services toward owning casino properties. As legalized gambling began expanding into the Midwest, they obtained a license to operate a riverboat casino in Metropolis, Illinois. Supported by game show mogul Merv Griffin, Players International launched this casino in 1993, achieving immediate success due to minimal local rivals.
Capitalizing on this achievement, Players opened a second riverboat casino later that year in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Its close proximity to Texas drew gamblers from Houston, resulting in strong profitability. In 1995, the company enhanced operations by acquiring a second riverboat from a shuttered casino on Lake Pontchartrain, allowing staggered boarding times to comply with state restrictions on boarding periods.
That same year, Players purchased Bluegrass Downs, a modest horse racing track situated in Paducah, Kentucky, near their Metropolis property. This acquisition was strategic, anticipating possible legalization of casino gaming at racetracks (racinos) within Kentucky and aimed at reducing competition for their Illinois riverboat casino.
Players International’s only land-based asset was the Players Island Resort located in Mesquite, Nevada—approximately an hour away from Las Vegas. This resort boasted a spa and upscale hotel facilities and focused its marketing efforts primarily on employees of Las Vegas casinos.
The company’s final significant project involved developing a third riverboat casino in Maryland Heights, Missouri (a suburb of St. Louis), undertaken as a partnership with Harrah's Entertainment. This venture featured separate but adjacent casino barges sharing common parking and boarding infrastructure.
Harrah's takeover (2000)
Confronted with growing competition due to expanded gambling legalization, Players International streamlined its focus on core businesses in 1997 and briefly returned to profitability, making it attractive for acquisition. The company’s shares were publicly listed on NASDAQ.
In 1999, Players agreed to be purchased by Jackpot International at $8.25 per share. Later that year, Harrah's submitted an unsolicited bid of $8.50 per share. Jackpot chose not to counteroffer; consequently, Players paid a fee to terminate the Jackpot agreement and accepted Harrah's $825 million proposal.
Following the acquisition, the Metropolis and Lake Charles casinos were renamed Harrah's Metropolis and Harrah's Lake Charles, respectively. Harrah’s assumed full ownership of the Maryland Heights joint venture. The Players Island property in Mesquite was excluded from this transaction and sold to Black Gaming, becoming CasaBlanca Resort and Casino. Harrah's retained a 50% interest in Bluegrass Downs. The deal concluded in 2000.